WORKSHOPS AND
'SUNSHINE SHOWDOWN' COMPETITION
Country Swing, Line Dance,
West Coast Swing, Two Step

RETURNING FOR 2026:
COUNTRY SWING AND OPEN LINE DANCE

NEW FOR 2026: WEST COAST SWING & TWO-STEP COMPETITION

PLUS WORKSHOPS AND MORE...

Country Swing is BACK for its 4th year at Sunshine N Line and we couldn’t be more excited.

A full weekend of workshops, open dancing, competitions and more!

Due to the increase numbers in competition we will now be running pre-lims during the day Friday and Saturday with FINALS in the evenings.

COMPETITION INFO

Open Line Dance - Co-Ed

Prelims for open line dance will be Friday at 4pm and FINALS will be Saturday evening

Country Swing Jack & Jills and Strictly

Jack & Jill prelims are Friday evening, and FINALS will be Saturday evening.
Strictly prelims & finals will be Saturday evening.

The STRICTLY competition is offered in two ability levels – Newcomer and Intermediate/Advanced (eligible for belt buckle) – you may only register to compete in one division. Entry to Strictly is PER couple $30. 

The JACK AND JILL competition is offered in three ability levels – Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced (eligible for belt buckle) – you may only register to compete once as a leader and/or once as a follow (eg; you can register to compete as an advanced leader and an intermediate follow)

Both Jack & Jill and Strictly are stationary only.

NEW FOR 2026 - West Coast Swing and Two Step Competition

This year we are adding more fun competitions to the line up with West Coast Swing and Two-Step.

 

TWO STEP – Prelims & Finals Friday April 3rd 9.30pm

Open Level you may only enter as a lead OR a follow. 

WEST COAST SWING – Prelims & Finals Friday April 3rd 9.30pm

There are two levels available: Newcomer/Novice and Intermediate. Competitors may only enter one division per role (Lead or Follow).  For example, you may compete as a Newcomer/Novice Lead and an Intermediate Follow.  However, you may not compete in the same division in both roles (e.g., you cannot enter as an Intermediate Lead and an Intermediate Follow).

Country Swing and Open Line Dance Competition Rules

COUNTRY SWING RULES

LIFTS: 

  • No lifts allowed in Jack N Jill, one foot must remain on the ground at all times
  • Lifts will be allowed in Strictly
  • Automatic disqualification if a drop occurs
  • Collision caused by a lift may result in immediate disqualification

MEETING/CHECK IN:

  • Must check in on time and attend competitors meeting 

The judges will be looking for the following with Partner Dancing :

  1. Timing/Rhythm (Using the music provided) 

2.  Stretch and Momentum (creating/maintaining connection with partner)

3.  Musicality (Creativity to go with the music)

4.  Teamwork (How well you and your partner dance together with connection)

5. Complexity/Variety of Patterns (utilizing different movements to accentuate the music)

LINE DANCE RULES

  • First two walls of the footwork must be danced vanilla (to step sheet)
  • When adding styling during any variations, you must stay with the direction and flow of the dance.
  • No aerials of any kind

The judges will be looking for the following with Line Dancing:

Dance Knowledge (How well do you know and execute the correct steps to the dance)

Timing (Stay on Count: Dancers will be judged on how well they dance with the music and stay on count with the beat and choreography)

Floor Presence (Give us a show!: Dances will be judged on how they showcase the dance utilizing energy, individual personality, and style)

GENERAL RULES (ALL):

Costumes – any suitable footwear and outfit/costume is allowed however if any of the outfits/costumes that might be a cause of embarrassment to any of the judges you will be penalized at the judges discretion.

Any item of clothing that is dropped during the course of the dance, and not retrieved a the earliest opportunity will be penalized at the judges discretion.

All dancers must obey dance floor etiquette.

Instructors, Judges and Hosts

Stefanie Vasturo & Tamara Watson - USA
Sunshine N Line "Southern Soul" Country Swing Ballroom Hosts

Aaron and Pam Miller - Texas

Aaron and Pam are the founders of Hardwood Hearts and are known for creating high-energy country dance experiences that focus on confidence, connection, and real social dancing. Based in Texas, they specialize in progressive partner dancing, most notably Dancehall Two-Step, as well as Barcoast and Steals. Together, Aaron and Pam have taught at dancehalls, university dance clubs, workshops, and conventions, working with everyone from complete beginners to experienced dancers looking to level up. Their teaching style focuses on clear instruction, strong fundamentals, and making sure every dancer leaves feeling more confident than when they walked in. Through Hardwood Hearts, their goal has always been to build a community where dancers feel welcome, supported, and excited to keep growing, whether it’s their first night dancing or their hundredth.

Travis Swartzlander - Arizona

Travis is an Instructor, Judge, DJ, Event Director and community leader based out of Phoenix, Arizona. He is co-owner of White Rabbit Society WCS and owner of Ninja Dance. After 2 decades of hip hop his first partner dance was Country Swing and then in 2018 Travis began his West Coast Swing journey. Travis travels the country teaching solo movement for West Coast Swing and Country Swing.

Arjay Centeno - New Jersey

Arjay's entire life has been dedicated to the exploration of art and music. For 17 years he toured the world as a classical violinist before traveling the world as a dance professional. He is an accomplished West Coast Swing Champion and travels the world performing, teaching, choreographing, judging and mentoring dancers. For the line dancers reading this you may recognize his name as a co-choreographer of Blurred Lines with Rachael McEnaney.

Bradley Mather - Massachusetts

Bradley has over 20 years of dance experience and more than 15 years of teaching expertise. He is proficient in over 30 dance styles, including line dance, all eight country dances, and all 19 ballroom dances, among others. A multiple national and world title holder, Bradley is known for his exceptional teaching ability and his passion for challenging students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Country Swing Dance Council - Earn Points on CSDC Circuit

The Country Swing Dance Council (CSDC) exists to serve, support, and strengthen the Country Swing dance community through integrity, excellence, honesty, and growth-mindedness. Our mission is to create a safe, transparent, and collaborative space for event directors by establishing clear standards and best practices for conventions and events. We desire to produce competitions that have consistency and accountability, providing fair, honest, and well-defined structures that support competitors and event goers. Through ethical leadership and open communication, CSDC is committed to fostering trust, elevating the quality of events and competitions, and encouraging sustainable growth for dancers, organizers, judges, and communities across the country swing dance world.

Jacob Reding - Idaho

Jacob Reding, founder of Reding Dance, is the most decorated country bar circuit dancer in the U.S., earning 38 Champion Belt Buckles, a National Championship (ESSS 2021), and a World Title (UCWDC 2022). Originally a college and semi-pro baseball player, he discovered his passion for country dance at Billy Bob’s Texas, transforming a fun night out into a full-time career. A former professional ballroom instructor and ALL-STAR West Coast Swing competitor, Jacob has judged competitions, performed at major events, and appeared in music videos. Now based in Boise, he is dedicated to mentoring dancers, growing the local dance community, and inspiring the next generation of competitors. His deep faith fuels his passion for building connections and confidence through dance

Danya Svir - Arizona

Danya is an Arizona based instructor and competitor. She has a solo dance background but now also focuses on Country Swing and West Coast Swing. Her niche is in musicality, styling and technique. In addition to growing the community in AZ, she travels the country with the intent to inspire dancers and grow communities around the world.

Gary Jobst - Florida

Gary Jobst discovered Country Western couples and line dancing in San Diego while serving in the U.S. Navy. He competed in the UCWDC circuit, reaching Division 1, and was part of the three-time UCWDC World Champion team, Midnight Cowboys. In the early '90s, he shifted to West Coast Swing, earning two US Open Swing Dance titles and multiple Jack & Jill and Strictly Swing championships. He has judged events across the USA and Europe and was inducted into the National Living Legends of Dance in 2016 and the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2024. Since moving to Orlando in 2019, he has helped grow the West Coast Swing scene as a co-organizer of West Orlando Westies and Winter Park West Coast Swing. He is available for private lessons and coaching throughout Florida.

Philip Victor - Bootscootin - California -USA
Competition Emcee

Philip Victor, the driving force behind BootScootin' joined the Sunshine N Line team in 2023. He has entertained millions as a performer and emcee for Nickelodeon, Sea World, Legoland, major cruise lines, the SD Padres, Caesar's Palace, and more. He also speaks for brands like LG, Visa, FX, and Samsung at trade shows and events. With a background in Zumba and Hip Hop, he discovered line dancing seven years ago and is now a professional instructor and emcee, featured at Stagecoach, Country Thunder, Boots In The Park, Old Town Music Festival, and Hard Rock.